Derivatives exchange volumes leap 26%

Derivatives exchanges witnessed a 25.6% increase in trading volume in 2010 compared with the previous year, with 22.3 billion contracts changing hands, the US-based Futures Industry Association (FIA), a trade body, said on Tuesday.

In its Annual Volume Survey, the FIA said the spike was led by large growth rates in volumes in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America; the strong performance of the commodities sector; and a partial revival in the market for interest rate futures in the US and Europe.

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